too warm for polar bears

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Tuesday October 3, 2006-The Star

 

Too warm for polar bears

 

*Adapted to cold environments, two polar bears were hardly prepared for the

'warm hospitality' at Singapore Zoo, HILARY CHIEW reports.*

 

VISITORS to Singapore Zoo might think the polar bears (*Ursus maritimus)* in

the glass-fronted enclosure are luxuriating in the cold pool water but in

fact, the Arctic creatures are suffering from overheating.

 

A four-month investigation by an animal welfare group found sub-standard

living environment that provides only a tiny part of a polar bear's natural

home range. The nomadic bear home range in the wild can reach 80,289 sq km

but the zoo's outdoor enclosure is a mere 391sq m.

 

In the report *What's a polar bear doing in the tropic? *released early this

month, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) found, in its

undercover work between September and December last year, mother bear, Sheba

and her male offspring Inuka, exhibiting signs of severe heat stress. Both

bears constantly pant, in efforts to cool down.

 

The bears pace and swim aimlessly, behaviour which indicates abnormal

animal-environment interaction and a sign of psychological disorder. The

bears also displayed high levels of inactivity, which researchers attributed

to the environment failing to satisfy their natural inquisitiveness.* *

 

Long regarded as the par excellence zoological park in this region,

Singapore Zoo acquired Sheba in 1978 from the Cologne Zoo in Germany when it

was a two-year-old cub. Born in 1990, Inuka was sired by Nanook, which died

in 1995.

 

Sheba anchored the polar bear exhibit in 1988, when the zoo introduced the

display of Arctic animals. Visitors were invited to rub noses with the bears

as a promotional gimmick.

 

The zoo, which attracts an annual 1.3 million visitors, claims in its

website that it is successful not just in keeping polar bears but in

breeding a male cub, the first in the tropics, because the enclosure has an

air-conditioned den, a separate den for rearing cubs and a 3.5m deep pool

for the bears to cool off.

 

Live fish are released into the pool to simulate wild conditions for the

bears to go " fishing " while meat and fruits are hidden in ice blocks for the

bears to discover.

 

The zoo says " as a physiological reaction to the warm climate, our polar

bears have a thinner coat and they moult more often than their counterparts

in cold countries " .

 

*Not cool*

 

However, the Acres investigation found the enclosure environment wanting.

Report authors Ann Corrigan and Louis Ng say the pool temperature at 17°C is

not cold enough as Arctic sea temperature remains around -20°C year round.

Any temperature above freezing is warm to a polar bear, which is

physiologically built to retain its body heat. In fact, they will experience

heat stress at an ambient temperature of 21.1°C. At the outdoor enclosure,

Inuka and Sheba spend almost a quarter of the time lying spread-eagle in

order to cool down. Acres found the indoor air-conditioned dens to be too

small for the bears to rest comfortably.

 

Although neither bear has experienced Arctic conditions, this does not mean

that they have adapted to the warm climate of Singapore. The report says the

bears still possess all the physiological adaptations to life in the Arctic,

contrary to claims by the zoo.

 

" Even if they lose some fur and blubber, they will always have black skin

that absorbs heat. " In fact, the " thinner coat " is an exhibition of

substantial fur loss and together with massive loss of lean muscle mass, are

obvious physical signs of distress.

 

It also noted the occasional algae growth on the bears' hair shaft, which

gives them an appearance of green fur. This indicates that the pelt is

constantly hot and damp.

 

The outdated concrete substrate and the limited ground space in the

enclosure provide minimal stimuli to a species that forages, digs and builds

day nest in the wild. The enclosures, the report concludes, do not meet many

of the guidelines set by zoo associations and animal welfare organisations.

 

 

*Bad choice*

 

The report notes that studies have shown polar bears to be poor candidates

for captivity even in the best circumstances, because they are extremely

wide-ranging, cold weather carnivores that travel up to 80km or more in a

day.

 

Progressive zoos in Britain, Switzerland and Germany are phasing out polar

bears on welfare grounds. The polar bear specialist group of the World

Conservation Union (IUCN) does not advocate captive breeding of polar bears.

 

 

The report also questions the educational benefits of the daily " token

feeding " shows, which it found to promote unnatural animal behaviour and

reinforces the outdated idea that zoo animals are for human amusement.

Highlights of the show include Sheba " waving " and Inuka " belly dancing " and

" clapping " before they are rewarded with food.

 

Since 2004, Acres has been in discussions with the zoo, calling for

improvements to the bears' living conditions. The majority of the

recommendations were not implemented, including providing full

air-conditioning (like for the penguins) and soft substrates for the bears

to construct day beds, chilling the pool water and modification to feeding

methods.

 

For the long term, Acres recommends relocating the bears since they cannot

be released to the wild. However, Sheba is old and may not survive the

relocation journey.

 

Acres suggests that once Sheba passes away, Inuka be relocated to a facility

with more appropriate climate like in Canada, to give it a better quality of

life. It also urges the zoo to end importation of Arctic animals.

 

In a press release announcing the launch of the report, Acres says it is

pleased that the zoo agreed to the long-term solutions after it was

presented with the findings in June.

 

Singapore Zoo has declined to comment on the Acres report.

 

*To read the full report, go to www.acres.org.sg*

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On a mission

 

SINGAPOREANS these days are likely to link wildlife campaigns to a homegrown

group rather than the established west-based environmental organisations.

 

The locally established Animal Concerns Research and Education Society

(Acres) is pushing animal issues into the national consciousness of a

society often perceived as materialistic. From radio advertisements to

billboards, exhibition at public places and talks at schools, Acres is

showing Singaporeans their ugly treatment of animals.

 

Since its establishment in 2001, its teams on wildlife rescue, zoo check,

and research and education have rolled out campaigns to make the country an

animal-friendly city-state.

 

Acres, a member of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, aims to

end illegal wildlife trade through undercover investigations. It also

assists the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) with confiscation of

illegally held animals.

 

An Undercover investigation revealed an alarmingly widespread trade in

endangered species in pet shops all over Singapore, with one in five shops

selling protected species. As of December, the team has responded to more

than 50 cases and rescued over 150 animals, including monkeys, snakes,

iguanas, turtles, tortoises, squirrels, sugar gliders, tarantulas and

geckos, " says Acres president and executive director Louis Ng.

 

Its W*ild but not Free* campaign highlights the trade in endangered species

as pet, food and medicine. Replica models and informative panels depicting

cruel ways in which wild animals are smuggled have been displayed in more

than 70 exhibitions and talks at community centres and shopping malls.

 

Acres believes that informed citizens will not abuse animals and will even

report wildlife crime through its 24-hour rescue hotline.

 

The group has taken on big establishments like Singapore Zoo and Sentosa

Island Underwater World. Among its achievements is the cancellation of the

cheetah contact session and the circus-style animal shows at the zoo and

Night Safari. Visitors to Underwater World are reminded that dolphins

acquired from the wild are " suffering and not smiling " as they perform.

 

Acres zoo check team has not only exposed appalling captive conditions of

zoos and aquariums throughout Asia but also investigated the conditions of

surplus chimpanzees supplied by Singapore Zoo to regional zoos in Indonesia,

Malaysia and China.

 

" Ten chimpanzees sent away were visited and all were found to be living in

sub-optimal conditions, many in barren, concrete cages with no enrichments.

 

 

" Subsequent meetings with the parties in question resulted in improvements

of enclosures. Singapore Zoo also assured that it would take steps to

safeguard the well-being of animals sent to other zoos, " shares Ng.

 

Acres will open its first wildlife rescue centre soon to house animals

confiscated from illegal trade, as facilities like Singapore Zoo are now

full. *– By Hilary Chiew

 

*

 

*If you wish to donate towards the Wildlife Rescue Centre, please go to

www.acres.org.sg/donate.html*

 

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